Ouachita Triple Crown Winner!

Day 1 - sun, birthdays and heaps of fun!

Day 2 - FKTs are falling!

Day 3 - ANOTHER FKT And Some Wheelie Bad Issues

Ernie Lechuga (M)

Kuya Takami (M)

Daniel Connell (M)

Ezra Ward-Packard (M)

Hannah Simon (F)

Ben Oney (M)

Joseph Harp (M)

Jason Kulma (M)

Sky Tettero-Crosby (M)

Dylan Parrish (M)

John Ritayik (M)

Sheila Torres-Blank (F)

Brett Stepanik (M, SS)

Randy Windle (M)

Jan Heine (M)

Joe Miller (M)

Jim Phillips (M)

Jacob Waterman (M)

Ryan Bruce (M)

Maggie Livelsberger (F, SS)

Timur Tusiray (M)

Stephanie Hall (F)

Zach Smith (M)

David Richey (M)

Ben Crannell (M)

Kayla Hall (F)

Marcin Sykut (M)

Zachary Gass (M)

Chad Wooderson (M)

James Flanagan (M)

Kelly Pope (F)

Krista Liesch (F)

Jeff Kerkove (M)

Christopher Farney (M)

Robert Orr (M)

Lindsay Shepard (F, SS)

Rick Freeman (M)

Erik Deitz (M)

Chris Koty (M)

Travis Finan (M)

Brian Forsee (M)

Alex Kowalski (M, SS)

Zachary McCool (M)

Larry Wagner (M, SS)

Ariana Khu (F)

Scott Drevicky (M)

It didn’t take him long to take his shoes off! Jeff Kerkove is currently the only finisher of the Ouachita Triple Crown route and set a blistering FKT of 23 hours 5 min. This 183 mile route was designed to link up three IMBA Epic trails in the area and was new for this edition. Looks like a keeper to us!

There are a handful of races we know that follow IMBA Epic trails, including the Colorado Trail and Vic Divide 550 ticks off Australia’s only IMBA Epic trail.


A little over 24 hours in and there’s a slim leader in the AHCR. Ernie Lechuga returned to the race following his scratch last year due to heat stroke, however, all was not lost as he watched his wife, Scotti, take the overall win and set a new women’s course record in 5 days, 10 hours and 49 minutes. Ernie will be hungry for a result here following last year’s DNF and his scratch at the Silk Road Mountain Race this summer. While the AHCR route remains unchanged, the new start location makes any comparison of his pace to previous year’s futile. We’ll know more once he closes in on the finish line in a few day’s time.

![WhatsApp Image 2022-10-09 at 05.58.24 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3QSjv7pQih7ZVCqdScl5uZ/2fcfb572e692421cfb1e0c0ceca7a83e/WhatsApp_Image_2022-10-09_at_05.58.24__1_.jpeg)

A little under two hours behind him is Kuya Takami (pictured above), a Texan who’s moved from road racing to bikepacking, and a slightly longer gap to those further back. But at only a quarter of the distance ridden, there’s still all to race for.

![WhatsApp Image 2022-10-09 at 05.58.25 (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2v0kVmgxLcqONM3Q1Fz5B/19d8386773f97475dba81ff359496f62/WhatsApp_Image_2022-10-09_at_05.58.25__1_.jpeg)

Hannah Simon is one of four women in the AHCR and currently sits in fifth position. She celebrated her birthday by lining at up the race this year, and we can’t think of a better present to give yourself! Her pamlares includes the Westfjords Way, although we can only hope it doesn't get so cold.

One thing that's often remarked on about US races for us in Europe is how exciting the gas station resupplies look, have a look at Kai Caddy's photos of the various riders and their hauls!


At the time of writing after nearly 57 hours of racing, Ernie Lechuga (cap no. 53) has established a lead of 34 miles over second place Kuya Takami (cap no. 36). These two are way out in front pushing the pace, with nearly another 100 miles separating second and third place, Daniel Connell (cap no. 64). Hannah Simon (cap no. 80) can see Daniel in her sights, and is putting on an incredible race as she keeps a podium spot in firm sight whilst approaching the mid-way point of the race. 

Ernie is hungry for a win to make it a Lechuga double following Scotti's victory last year. Having covered 55% of the route, it's still all to play for and Ernie will have to keep pushing the pace to keep Kuya out of sight. 

![AHCR Day 2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1w4SpnJmHpmHcKqMM90lTx/cce19b6cb0fbcf6229c22480369599b0/WhatsApp_Image_2022-10-10_at_9.09.34_PM__1_.jpeg)

FKTs have been falling left right and centre after an epic past 24 hours of racing on the Arkansas Country High Race. Alex Kowalski (cap no. 50) clinched first place on the Ouachita Triple Crown CCW route, setting a new singlespeed record of 31 hours and 4 minutes!

The podium is rounded out for the Ouachita Triple Crown route, with Jeff Kerkove taking the top spot in a blistering time of 23 hours 10 minutes. Lindsay Shepard has finished as first woman, with a time of 38 hours and 27 minutes. Ariana Khu has finished in second place for the women (and 8th overall), with time of 46 hours and 44 minutes. 

Jan Heine is one of the industry visionaries on researching and testing 'What Makes a Bike Fast?'. This year he decided to make the journey down to Hot Springs to race the South Loop route, putting his equipment choices to the test during some serious pedal to the medal. In the process he won the overall 487-mile South Loop race, setting a new FKT of 46 hours and 59 minutes! Kudos Jan! The South Loop podium has been rounded out by Joe Miller and Jim Phillips, finishing in a time of 55 hrs 10 minutes and 56 hrs 5 minutes respectively. 

That's all for now. Heading into Day 3 the remaining field are strung across the various routes on offer. Check back in tomorrow to see how the dots of Arkansas are getting on. 

![AHCR Day 2 (2)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7p1OwxmkU7cNJBtiblmdYj/a84034b719f0376d7a78c693552f83a9/WhatsApp_Image_2022-10-10_at_9.09.35_PM__1_.jpeg)

Photos by [Kai Caddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)

![IMG 1591](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/59h0x228jw3wFfoFxDDmuW/928682756bb9032e320f306c591488d3/IMG_1591.png)
### South Loop Women's FKT Smashed!
[Maggie Livelsberger](https://www.instagram.com/large_marge03/) not only took the Women's win and the women's FKT but she was also the FIRST SINGLESPEED BACK! Congratulations to Maggie for an absolutely outstanding race finishing in 2 Days 22 Hours 24 Minutes. The second woman in, Stephanie Hall, managed to follow behind just two hours after Maggie.

### It's Going Wheelie Well on the Full Route
![IMG 1589](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1gZoZXg1QpXtsBGcHlv8z9/37639f006594dd98cdd6e07184cca97f/IMG_1589.png)
[Ernie Lechuga](https://www.instagram.com/ernielechuga/) continues on his reclamation mission after falling ill in 2021. He has however managed to snap a spoke which caused a short pause on his ongoing progress. With a strong lead of hopefully it won't slow him down too much. Ernie's tracker is seemingly pinging a lot less than others, so please keep an eye out for his last ping!

![IMG 1590](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3hTSMY8tZUC4vXVkRSCa6Z/a246a434603b9edd9365b2cdea1c7878/IMG_1590.png)
[Jacob Loos](https://www.instagram.com/jacobloos_/), who is single-speeding counter clockwise has also had some wheel troubles with a warped rim. Despite this, we still saw a heartwarming moment as Jacob met Ernie out on the trail during the night.

![c2ec213b-4949-4a42-9495-0bca6cba046c](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7qn5zSX7uC3I1vxG11YGXw/db77e719590b4d535267a2969f9212cf/c2ec213b-4949-4a42-9495-0bca6cba046c.jpg)

[Hannah Simon](https://www.instagram.com/hannahmsimon_/) is still leading the women's race. With over 530 miles covered she isn't on for the FKT but is reasonably far ahead of the next woman, Jen Wohlner. 

### The Ouachita Triple Crown

The Ouachita Triple Crown is over, with 8 finishers in this gruelling loop. The 185 mile loop is a difficult distance, many riders may be able to press on without sleep but a miss-timed ride may lead to extreme fatigue. Congratulations to all the riders on this route!


Photos of the race by [Kai Caddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)

There has been a huge amount of pouring rain this morning and riders are having to take shelter as it covers most of the race.

## Race Update

In the Full Loop, Ernie Lechuga continues to dominate with an almost 150 mile lead over Kuya Takami. However, once again, Ernie is facing mechanical problems with a wobbly cassette that seem to have been solved with a hammer (we hope!). Hannah Simon is 5th overall and leading the women's field. 

In the South Loop we have our second woman across the line, Stephanie Hall, in a blistering 3 Days and 42 Minutes. Kayla Hall should be the next to finish, she's been struggling with sickness and blisters but hopefully will be able to bring it home later today.

In the Ouchita Triple crown we had a fantastic trio of riders come across the finish line at the same time for a triple lantern rouge. Chris Koty, Brian Forsee and Travis Finan finished in 2 Days 15 Hours 27 Minutes. We hear the official name is the Slogger Crew!

## Social Media Trawl

![IMG 1637](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/24JdicEgDC8FyKEvvXLGGN/65f8cd79dab05cc24140a7e3cea3347b/IMG_1637.jpg)

[Chad Wooderson](https://www.instagram.com/ccwooderson/) has provided us with one of the best ever make-shift camp mats and overall has been sharing a tonne of his race via his stories, well worth a look.

Aaron Arnzen has posted a great race update on what happened during his 2022 Arkansas High Country race and it is well worth a read!

Full Loop is Closing In

Photo by [Kai Caddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)

Ernie Lechuga has won the Arkansas High Country Race in 4 days, 14 hours and 13 minutes which is a new FKT! Ernie finished at 21:14 last night local time. Congraturlations to Ernie, a well deserved win especially after a difficult race last year.

With Kuya Takami blasting along behind we'll soon see the riders rolling over the finish line.

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Race photos by [Kai Caddy](https://www.instagram.com/kaicaddy/)

![5edce882-d508-4c7b-a19d-8c3ef900e498](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6qNDEY9wlEskzo2NoxLrmU/a3915fecff1208ed4cf4cce992d0a8f5/5edce882-d508-4c7b-a19d-8c3ef900e498.jpg)

## Full Route Finishers Update
In the wake of Ernie Lechuga's finish we've had 4 more finishers on the Full Route and the CCW team are moving quickly. 

![IMG 1680](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6KcIkymyQlMe1wR7uWtLrb/2d8f8d8c20926ff1a1f82ffac1ca41f5/IMG_1680.jpg)
Coming in at second place Kuya Takami finished in 130 hrs 12 mins. After tackling the trails for almost a week, Kuya finished in lightning time. Kuya woke up yesterday morning and enjoyed a stunning sunrise over the bridge as he pushed on his final day of riding. After climbing the day before and riding along the tarmac he rode until 3am. After a difficult night he was greeted by an embrace from Ernie at the finish!

![IMG 1682](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2VItWRcWPQLb6WyClbDt23/2b5180c7dd837edab6d71dd2d5fc441d/IMG_1682.jpg)
Daniel Connell came in next, 3rd place in 141 hrs 9 mins. Daniel had one of the lowest stopping times of the entire race. He kept pushing and took short breaks with plenty of night riding.

Ezra Ward-Packard has been the most recent finisher, coming in just after Daniel in	142 hrs 45 mins. Ezra finished just now after an insatiable ride from start to finish. Pressing on after a strong resupply with 93 miles to go he rolled in in good form.

![IMG 1683](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3Pbk8RwxHy7BMwjZPteAi5/533caf70fc5732cda58c641aadaaa83e/IMG_1683.jpg)

## The CCW Loop
With 2/3 riders on the CCW riding single speed it really has become the battle of the single speed. Brett Stepanik is leading the bunch and has posted this incredible picture of his SS rig. Next up is Randy Windle who is riding geared.
And finally Jacob Loos who is having some pretty bad knee trouble. He has bought some flat pedals, a knee compression sleeve and is riding as close as he can to doctors orders. Good luck Jacob!

Updates on from the trail: We have the full route podium!

Arkansas High Country Race ARHC Tracking and Commentary 2022: A race that was designed to "showcase the natural features and the beautiful human environments of these highlands" - Chuck Campbell, race creator.

Arkansas High Country Race Tracking 2022

A race that was designed to "showcase the natural features and the beautiful human environments of these highlands" - Chuck Campbell, race creator.

Arkansas High Country Race 2022

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